"A star to steer her by"

Jim Walsh · Post by **Jim Walsh** » May 8th, '15, 23:59

"And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by".
I met an exhibitor at the Wooden Boat Show last year who had an exquisite bronze star displayed on his wooden labor of love. I asked where he had gotten the star. He said he made the mold and Mystic Seaport cast the stars for him when they were casting their own hardware. I asked if I could buy one and he said he'd save one for me the next time a batch of castings were poured.
I made the teak mounting bracket out of some old scrap pieces I had been holding onto and mounted the result of my personal labor of love on my bow pulpit so I will always have a star to steer ORION by.

Steve Laume · Post by **Steve Laume** » May 9th, '15, 07:06

That is seriously classy. I have always wanted to make teak cap for the boom end with a star on it. I have never gotten around to it but I often stare at the end of the boom while at the helm and imagine how nice it would look.

Very appropriate for a boat named Orion, Steve.

Sea Hunt Video · Post by **Sea Hunt Video** » May 9th, '15, 07:31

Jim:

Really nice

Jim Walsh · Post by **Jim Walsh** » May 9th, '15, 09:29

It was polished and bright when I received it and pretty much remained so throughout the winter. Since being installed a month ago it has dulled considerably as all bronze does. I'm still up in the air as to leaving it to turn a pleasant verdigris or if it should be the only polished bronze on the boat. Tell me what you think.

ariasis · Post by **ariasis** » May 9th, '15, 20:10

If you decide to polish it shoot it with some perma lac. My bronze is going on three years and looks like it did the day I polished it.

Jim Walsh · Post by **Jim Walsh** » Aug 27th, '15, 19:11

Here's what it looks like after less than four months....but it does include 16 days at sea and a couple thousand miles on the log.
By the way, it IS my lucky star. It kept me safe on my offshore passages.

Jim Walsh · Post by **Jim Walsh** » Oct 17th, '15, 21:54

I just found a picture of my star before it was mounted. Just thought some might find it as beautiful as I do. I also added a most recent photo showing the the verdigris it develops after a few months. It takes a trip into blue water to get this hue. I presume it's the greater concentration of salt in the warm seas.

tjr818 · Post by **tjr818** » Oct 17th, '15, 22:35

Well earned colors, congratulations and thanks for sharing.

moctrams · Post by **moctrams** » Oct 18th, '15, 06:28

Here is link to get a bronze star:

http://www.porttownsendfoundry.com/jewelry.htm

The 3" stars are $20.00 each plus S&H.

pete faga · Post by **pete faga** » Oct 20th, '15, 08:25

Jim
Nice addition to a already beautiful boat
Moctrams
Thanks for the link to the foundry. Now I know what to ask Santa for!
Pete

moctrams · Post by **moctrams** » Jan 6th, '16, 16:14

Gabbiano gets her star too.

Jim Walsh · Post by **Jim Walsh** » Jan 6th, '16, 16:45

moctrams wrote:Gabbiano gets her star too.

I like it! We could all use a lucky star from time to time.

The Cape Dory Board

"A star to steer her by"

"A star to steer her by"

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